In 2002, PlayGround launched its first full-length play commissioning programs, the June Anne Baker Prize and the PlayGround Fellowship. The June Anne Baker Prize, established by PlayGround supporter John H. Gilman in memory of his late wife, honors the top female playwright each year, representing a gifted new comedic or political voice for the stage, and includes a full-length play commission. The PlayGround Fellowship honors a distinguished PlayGround alumnus and also includes a full-length play commission. PlayGround additionally awards three Alumni Commissions per year to previously commissioned PlayGround playwrights. The resulting new works are presented as public staged readings as part of The Best of PlayGround Festival.
In 2006, PlayGround launched its Commissioning Initiative, through which PlayGround expanded its commissioning efforts to five per year (now six per year) and began supporting full production through strategic partnerships and a co-production fund.
2009 Commissions
All 2009 commissions will be presented to the public as staged readings during the 2010 Best of PlayGround Festival in May 2010 (reading dates and location to be confirmed).
Golden Gate Fair by Trevor Allen
The Secret Rulers of the World Go to Camp by Tim Bauer
Nightmare Play by Erin Bregman
Seven Days by Daniel Heath
The Sum of All Parts by Brady Lea
Truffaldino Says No by Ken Slattery
For complete play descriptions, click here. To sign up for updates on these readings and other festival activities through PlayGround's monthly email newsletter, click here.
For more information on these or other PlayGround-commissioned plays, contact PlayGround Artistic Director Jim Kleinmann.
June Anne Baker Prize
2009: Erin Marie Bregman
2008: Lauren Yee
2007: Evelyn Pine
2006: Brady Lea
2005: Geetha Reddy
2004: Maria Rokas
2003: Martha Soukup
2002: Kristina Goodnight
PlayGround Fellowship
2009: Tim Bauer, Ken Slattery
2008: Daniel Heath
2007: Molly Rhodes
2006: Tom Swift
2005: Aaron Loeb
2004: Kenn Rabin
2003: Trevor Allen
2002: Garret Jon Groenveld
Alumni Commissions
2009: Trevor Allen, Daniel Heath, Brady Lea2008: Trevor Allen, Brady Lea, Evelyn Jean Pine
2007: Garret Jon Groenveld, Geetha Reddy, Martha Soukup
2006: Garret Jon Groenveld, Aaron Loeb, Geetha Reddy